Lesson 1Human factors and organizational hazards: fatigue, communication gaps, subcontractor coordinationAnalyses human and organizational factors that create hazards, including fatigue, communication gaps, and subcontractor coordination issues. Highlights supervision, planning, and culture to reduce errors and unsafe behaviours in South African construction.
Fatigue, shift patterns, and workloadLanguage barriers and communication toolsCoordination between multiple subcontractorsSupervision quality and role claritySafety culture and reporting behavioursLesson 2Crane operations and lifting hazards: load paths, exclusion zones, rigging failuresExamines crane and lifting hazards, including load paths, exclusion zones, and rigging failures. Discusses lift planning, signalling, weather limits, and inspection of lifting gear to prevent dropped loads and structural impacts on South African sites.
Lift planning and risk assessmentRigging gear selection and inspectionEstablishing load paths and exclusion zonesCommunication between operator and riggerWeather, wind, and stability limitsLesson 3Logistics and site traffic hazards: vehicles, deliveries, pedestrian segregationAddresses logistics and traffic hazards from trucks, forklifts, and deliveries on structural sites. Covers traffic management plans, pedestrian routes, loading zones, and communication methods to prevent collisions and struck by incidents in South Africa.
Site traffic management planningSegregated pedestrian walkwaysSafe loading and unloading zonesSpotters, signals, and communicationReversing vehicles and blind spot risksLesson 4Confined spaces and excavation adjacent hazardsReviews hazards in confined spaces and excavations near structural works. Discusses entry permits, atmospheric testing, shoring, access, and emergency planning to prevent engulfment, collapse, and asphyxiation on South African construction sites.
Identifying confined spaces on sitesPermit to work and entry controlsAtmospheric testing and ventilationExcavation support and benching systemsRescue and emergency response planningLesson 5Health hazards: dust, noise, vibration, cement burns, CHP (chemical handling)Explores health hazards common in structural phases, such as dust, noise, vibration, and cement burns. Covers exposure assessment, controls, PPE, and safe chemical handling to prevent acute and chronic health effects in South Africa.
Concrete and silica dust exposure controlNoise sources and hearing protectionHand arm vibration and tool selectionPreventing cement burns and skin damageSafe storage and handling of chemicalsLesson 6Concrete operations: slips, trips, manual handling, formwork collapseExplores hazards in concrete works, including slips, trips, manual handling strains, and formwork instability. Covers planning, housekeeping, reinforcement handling, pour sequencing, and inspection steps to prevent collapse or worker injury in South Africa.
Slip and trip risks around poursManual handling of rebar and formworkFormwork design and load capacityInspection before and during concrete poursStripping formwork and backproppingLesson 7Tool and equipment hazards: falling tools, power tool guarding, compressed airFocuses on hazards from tools and equipment used in structural work, including falling tools, power tool guarding, and compressed air misuse. Emphasises selection, inspection, tethering, and safe operating procedures for South African sites.
Selection of suitable tools and equipmentPre use inspection and maintenanceTool guarding and emergency stopsTethering tools to prevent dropsSafe use of compressed air systemsLesson 8Electrical hazards: live work, temporary power, lockout/tagout failuresDetails electrical risks during structural works, focusing on live circuits, temporary power, and lockout or tagout failures. Emphasises planning, equipment selection, inspection, and safe work practices to prevent shock, burns, and arc flash in South Africa.
Planning temporary electrical layoutsInspection of cords, panels, and toolsLive work avoidance and safe distancesLockout and tagout on construction sitesGround fault and residual current devicesLesson 9Working at height hazards: scaffolds, edge protection, falling objectsCovers working at height hazards on structural frames, including scaffolds, edge protection, and falling objects. Reviews access systems, guardrails, fall arrest, and material containment to protect workers and the public in South Africa.
Scaffold design, access, and inspectionEdge protection and guardrail systemsPersonal fall arrest and restraint useOpenings, penetrations, and floor edgesToe boards, netting, and debris controlLesson 10Systematic hazard spotting methods for live sitesIntroduces systematic methods for spotting hazards on live structural sites. Explains task analysis, checklists, inspections, and worker input to identify changing risks and prioritise corrective actions before work proceeds in South Africa.
Task based hazard analysis methodsStructured site walk and inspection routesUse of checklists and digital toolsWorker participation and safety observationsPrioritising and tracking corrective actions
